Frederick L Walters

US Patent:

8309516, Nov 13, 2012

Filed:

Mar 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/529246

Inventors:

Hope Hart - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Jeng S. Chen - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Cheryl Stacy - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Frederick Walters - Research Triangle Park NC, US

Assignee:

Syngenta Participations AG - Basel

International Classification:

C07K 14/325

US Classification:

514 45

Abstract:

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) having toxicity to at least corn rootworm are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins an eHIP having activity against corn rootworm is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel eHIPs are also provided. Methods of making the eHIPs and methods of using the eHIPs and nucleic acids encoding the eHIPs of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20080182796, Jul 31, 2008

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/799009

Inventors:

Jeng S. Chen - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Cheryl Stacy - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Frederick Walters - Research Triangle Park NC, US

International Classification:

A61K 38/08
C12N 15/31
C12N 15/63
A01H 5/00
A01P 7/00
A61K 38/10
C07K 7/06
C07K 7/08

US Classification:

514 14, 536 237, 4353201, 4352523, 800298, 8003201, 800302, 530328, 530329, 530327, 514 17, 514 16, 435 691, 800279

Abstract:

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel nucleic acid sequences encoding modified Cry3A toxins having increased toxicity to corn rootworm are provided. By inserting a protease recognition site that is recognized by a gut protease of a target insect in at least one position of a Cry3A toxin a modified Cry3A toxin having significantly greater toxicity, particularly to western and northern corn rootworm is designed. Further, a method of making the modified Cry3A toxins and methods of using the modified cry3A nucleic acid sequences, for example in microorganisms to control insects or in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage, and a method of using the modified Cry3A toxins, and compositions and formulations comprising the modified Cry3A toxins, for example applying the modified Cry3A toxins or compositions or formulations to insect-infested areas, or to prophylactically treat insect-susceptible areas or plants to confer protection against the insect pests are disclosed.

US Patent:

20110023194, Jan 27, 2011

Filed:

Dec 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/747247

Inventors:

Jeng Shong Chen - Chapel Hill NC, US
Frederick S. Walters - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG - Research Triangle Park NC

International Classification:

A01H 5/00
C12N 9/10
C07H 21/00
C12N 15/63
C12N 5/10
C12N 1/19
C12N 1/16

US Classification:

8003201, 435193, 536 232, 4353201, 435419, 435412, 800298, 4352542, 43525421, 4352551

Abstract:

The ADP-ribosyltransferase, Vip2, exerts its intracellular toxicity in insects by modifying actin and preventing actin polymerization. Due to the nature of this toxin, expression of Vip2 in planta is lethal to the plant. Described herein are methods of making zymogens of toxic proteins that are benign in a non-target organism and are activated in a target organism. Disclosed herein are methods of engineering a random propeptide library at a terminus of a toxic protein and selecting for malfunctional variants in yeast. Using this method a selected proenzyme possesses reduced enzymatic activity as compared to the wild-type Vip2 protein, but remains a potent toxin towards corn rootworm larvae. The Vip2 zymogen can be proteolytically activated by corn rootworm digestive proteases.

US Patent:

20140090104, Mar 27, 2014

Filed:

Sep 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/623921

Inventors:

- Basel, CH
Jeng Shong CHEN - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Cheryl M. DEFONTES - Research Triangle Park NC, US
Frederick WALTERS - Research Triangle Park NC, US

Assignee:

SYNGENTA PARTICIPATIONS AG - Basel

International Classification:

C12N 15/62
C12N 1/21
C12N 15/82
A01H 5/00
A01H 5/10
C12P 21/02
C12N 15/63
C12N 5/10

US Classification:

800279, 536 234, 4353201, 4352523, 435419, 800302, 435 697

Abstract:

Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) having toxicity to at least corn rootworm are provided. By fusing unique combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks of at least two different (Bt) Cry proteins or a modified Cry proteins an eHIP having activity against corn rootworm is designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel eHIPs are also provided. Methods of making the eHIPs and methods of using the eHIPs and nucleic acids encoding the eHIPs of the invention, for example in transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also disclosed.